DCPS was announced as one of seven districts in the state to be awarded the Teaching American History Grant from the U.S. Department of Education. U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan announced the award of $115.3 million to 124 school districts to improve the quality of teaching American History in our nation’s schools. Duval County received the highest grant amount in Florida, $999,998, which will be funded over a three-year period. This is the second time the district has been awarded the grant; the first time was in 2006. “We are extremely excited about receiving this grant award because it will allow the district to continue the important professional development opportunities for our history teachers that began with the first round of funding in 2006,” said Kathy LeRoy, DCPS’ Chief Officer of Academic Services. “We will continue to use these grant funds to make American History a more exciting and engaging learning experience for all of our students.”

The Teaching American History Grantprogram aims to enhance teachers’ understanding of American history through intensive professional development, including study trips to historic sites and mentoring with professional historians and other experts. Projects are required to partner with organizations that have broad knowledge of American history, such as libraries, museums, nonprofit historical or humanities organizations, and higher education institutions. History is one of the core academic subjects under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. “The Teaching American History Grant has fundamentally changed my life and the way I view history,” said Lorraine Morris, a teacher at Sandalwood High School and participant in the grant. “Since becoming a participant, not only have I increased my love of history, but I have transmitted that love of learning and enthusiasm to my students.”